The East Penn School District Board of Directors has decided to start over on requests for proposals for the district's copy and multifunction machines after tabling the motion to approve a bid at the last meeting.

This particular agenda item was described as "not glamorous" but certainly important. As of two weeks ago the board was slated to accept a bid from Xerox Corporation in the amount of $155,196.00 semi-annually.

The bid has received some comment from the public expressing surprise Xerox was to be awarded the bid when another vendor had offered a lower price.

The board's decision is based on a recommendation from its solicitor Marc Fisher to reject all proposals and send out the RFP again from a fresh perspective.

Superintendent Dr. Michael Schilder explained the administration wants to clarify some language in the specifications of the bid request, making it "crystal clear" what the district needs and does not need from these services. "We want to remove any miscommunication or controversy with this RFP process," Schilder said, and went on to say checking references with other organizations who have used the product and services provided in respective bids is a large part of the process.

Schilder expressed his confidence a recommendation would be ready for the school directors by the board meeting of Dec. 8.

The district has received upwards of $539,000 in a Ready to Learn grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Education, according to the superintendent's report.

These funds are appropriated directly to student achievement, based on "very specific" guidelines, Schilder said, from the state. These include, for instance, pre-kindergarten through third grade curriculum alignment with current academic standards; supplemental instruction and coaching for Keystone Exam; and so on.

Schilder reported in a brief transportation update the only item carrying forward from the early weeks of the school year is looking into some longer bus routes. He says the solution to this may be an additional bus but he wants to give Student Transporation of America time to exhaust all other possibilities.

An additional bus route with a full-sized bus could cost around $40,000. Schilder wants to avoid the expense if at all possible. But he said if it turns out to be the best viable solution it will be done.

When questioned by Director Ziad Munson regarding STA's ability to meet this challenge in terms of personnel, Schilder replied the transportation company is well staffed with new management in routing.

In addition, the superintendent reported snow and flooding emergency stops on the bus routes have been submitted to the district as of this week.

The school board welcomed new administrative personnel to the district at the Nov. 10 meeting. Erin M. Murphy has been appointed assistant principal of Eyer Middle School. Murphy has been with the district since 2007, first as an elementary teacher, and then as a technology integration specialist. Jessica Kornhausl has been appointed human resources manager, coming from East Stroudsburg University where she served as assistant director of employee relations since 2010.

During business operations the board voted on the salary roster for the 2014-2015 year, raising comments from two board members.

Lynn Donches objected, as, she noted, she has in other years, to the salaries of some administrators, and stated this as a voice of the citizens of East Penn School District. Donches reminded the board increased salaries also affect pension rates and expressed her concern the district may not be able to continue supporting high salary costs in the future.

Director Rebecca Heid, however, expressed a contrary view. She was surprised to see some teacher salaries were close to administrative salaries, and wondered at the proximity in pay rates between the former and members of the district's leadership. The motion carried without further discussion and met with board majority approval.